Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis--evaluation of management in the 1990s.

There are three main areas of debate in the management of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis: The value of early operative intervention, the duration and route of antibiotic treatment and the choice of antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the management protocol of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis as used in The Childrens' Hospital, Temple Street. The protocol can be recommended. Absence of pyrexia and a normal Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate do not exclude acute haematogenous osteomyelitis. Current thoughts on antimicrobial therapy are presented.